President George W. BushRemarks at Florida RallyOrange County Convention CenterOrlando, FloridaSaturday, March 20, 2004WHITE HOUSE TRANSCRIPT

12:14 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thanks for coming. (Applause.) It turns
out the crowd is always a little bigger when Laura comes along. America
loves her almost as much as I love her. (Applause.) I think she deserves
four more years as the First Lady. (Applause.)

No, it's great to be back in the great state of Florida again. (Applause.)
There's a big election coming up, and I thought I'd come down for a little
spring training. (Applause.) It's always a good chance to be with Brother.
(Laughter.) He's a great governor of this great state. (Applause.) Like
me, he married well. (Laughter.) I appreciate Colu being here, as well.
(Applause.)

I used to say that Jeb was the coolest governor in the country. That's
until Arnold got elected. (Applause.) Speaking about great leaders, I made
a really good choice when I asked Dick Cheney to be my running mate. (Applause.)
He and I are grateful for the many strong supporters we have here in Florida.
We're going to be spending some quality time in this state. (Applause.)
We're here to earn the vote. And we need your help. I know you're here
because you do want to help. One of the most important things you can do
is encourage your neighbors to vote. We want a lot of people voting in
this country. We want people from all walks of life doing their duty in
this country, and that is to show up to the polls. And by the way, when
you get them headed to the polls, you might suggest what's good for the
country, and that is Bush-Cheney for four more years. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: And by the way, we set up a web site, so that you can
get on to figure out how to volunteer. We need your help. That's what I'm
here to ask for. (Applause.) It's not very complicated, it's georgewbush.com.
(Applause.) That's an easy one for me to remember. (Laughter.) With your
help, we're going to make Florida a part of a great nationwide victory
this November. (Applause.)

I'm so thankful for you all coming. I'm proud of the fact that two members
of the United States Congress is with us: Ric Keller and Tom Feeney. (Applause.)
Lt. Governor Toni Jennings is here. I appreciate the Governor Jennings.
Tom Gallagher is a statewide official. I'm proud my friend is here, Tom
Gallagher. (Applause.)

I want to thank all the statehouse members, all the local officials.
The high sheriff is with us today. (Applause.) And thank all the law enforcement
people that are with us today. (Applause.) I want to thank my friend, Roberto
Candelario, for leading the invocation. Roberto, thank you for coming.
Thank you, Lisa Faulkner for leading this great crowd in the National Anthem.
(Applause.) I got here a little late. I didn't get to hear my friend, Billy
Ray Cyrus. (Applause.) Thank you, Billy Ray. The Katinas are with us, as
well. I'm proud they're here. I'm proud to have their support. (Applause.)
My friend, Lynn Swann is with us. (Applause.) He's welcome to come to Florida.
We're a little nervous about inviting him down to Dallas. (Laughter.) You
know what I mean -- a lot of Cowboy fans there. (Applause.)

I appreciate so very much Footy for being here. Footy, thank you for
emceeing this event. (Applause.) The chairman of Bush-Cheney, Marc Racicot,
the former Governor of Montana, is with us today. Marc, thank you for coming.
(Applause.) My friend, Al Hoffman, who has worked so hard in this state,
is with us. Carole Jean Jordan, the chairman of the Florida Republican
Party, is with us. (Applause.)

But most importantly, you're with us. (Applause.) I appreciate you coming.
I know many of you are getting on buses and vans today for a voter registration
drive. Thanks for doing that. (Applause.) The effort is going to help us;
it will help our entire ticket. We have a strong slate of candidates. We're
coming into an historic election, and we're going to win an historic victory
this November. (Applause.)

The presidential primary contest is over. I finally got an opponent.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: He's following an interesting strategy. The other day,
here in Florida, he claimed some important endorsements from overseas.
He won't tell us the name of the foreign admirers. That's okay, either
way I'm not too worried because I'm going to keep my campaign right here
in America. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE PRESIDENT: He's an experienced Senator and he's built up quite a
record. In fact, Senator Kerry has been in Washington long enough to take
both sides on just about every issue. (Laughter and applause.) Senator
Kerry voted for the Patriot Act, for NAFTA, for the No Child Left Behind
Act, and for the use of force in Iraq. Now he opposes the Patriot Act,
NAFTA, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the liberation of Iraq. My opponent
clearly feels strongly about each of these issues. (Laughter.) So strongly
that one position is never just enough. (Applause.) He demonstrated the
technique the other day. Someone asked Senator Kerry why he voted against
the $87-billion funding bill to help our troops in Iraq. Here is what he
said: "I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against
it." (Laughter.) End of quote. (Laughter.) That sure clears things up,
doesn't it? (Laughter.)

His answers aren't always clear, but the voters will have a very clear
choice in this campaign. (Applause.) It is the choice between -- it's the
choice between keeping the tax relief that is moving this economy forward,
or putting the burden of higher taxes back on the American people. It is
a choice between an America that leads the world with strength and confidence
-- (applause) -- or an America that is uncertain in the face of danger.

No, I look forward to this debate. I look forward to this campaign.
I'm looking forward to talking about what we've accomplished and what we're
going to do. In the past three years, we've achieved great things, and
most important, we have a positive vision for the years ahead. (Applause.)
A positive vision for winning the war against terror; a positive vision
for extending peace and freedom throughout our world; a positive vision
for creating jobs and promoting opportunity and compassion here at home.
(Applause.) We will leave no doubt where we stand; we will win on the 2nd
of November. (Applause.)

The last three years have brought serious challenges, and we've given
serious answers. We came to office with a stock market in decline and an
economy heading into recession. We delivered historic tax relief. And now,
our economy is the fastest growing of any major industrialized nation.
(Applause.) We had to confront corporate crimes that cost people their
jobs and their savings. We passed strong corporate reforms, and we made
it clear, we will not tolerate dishonesty in the boardrooms of America.
(Applause.)

We saw war and grief arrive on a quiet September morning. So we pursued
the terrorist enemy across the world. We have captured or killed many of
the key leaders of the al Qaeda network. (Applause.) And the rest of them
will know there is no cave or hole deep enough to hide from American justice.
(Applause.)

We confronted the dangers of state-sponsored terror and the spread of
weapons of mass destruction. So we ended two of the most violent and dangerous
regimes on Earth. We freed over 50 million people. Once again, America
is proud to lead the armies of liberation. (Applause.)

When Dick Cheney and I came to Washington, we found a military that
was underfunded and underappreciated. So we gave our military the resources
and respect they deserve. (Applause.) Today, no one can question the skill
and the strength and the spirit of the United States military. (Applause.)

It is the President's job to confront problems, not to pass them on
to future Presidents or future generations. (Applause.) It is the President's
job to step up and make the tough decisions and to keep his commitments.
And that is how I will continue to lead our great nation. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: Great events will turn on this election. The man who
sits in the Oval Office will set the course of the war on terror and the
direction of our economy. The security and prosperity of America are at
stake. The other side hadn't offered much in the way of strategies to win
the war, or policies to expand our economy. So far, all we hear from that
side is bitterness and partisan anger. Anger is not an agenda for the future
of America. (Applause.) We will take on the big issues with optimism and
resolve and determination. And we will make it clear to the American people
we stand ready to lead this nation for four more years. (Applause.)

A big issue for every family in America is the federal tax burden. With
the largest tax relief since Ronald Reagan was President, we have left
more money in the hands that earned it. (Applause.) By spending and investing
and helping to create new jobs, the American people have used their money
far better than the federal government would have. (Applause.)

Oh, I know there's some economic pessimists who refuse to accept good
news about our economy. But I'm optimistic. I'll tell you why. I know what
we've overcome. I've seen the spirit of the American people. I've seen
Americans overcome economic challenges. And because of good policies and
the hard work of the American people, our economy is strong and it is growing
stronger. (Applause.) Economic growth in the second half of 2003 was the
fastest in nearly 20 years. (Applause.) Manufacturing activity is increasing;
business investment is rising; disposable income is rising; inflation is
low; interest rates are low; home ownership is at the highest rate ever.
(Applause.) Job creation is gaining strength. We've added more than 350,000
new jobs over the last six months. The tax relief we passed is working.
(Applause.)

My opponent has a different view of tax relief. When we passed an increase
in the child credit to help families, he voted against it.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: When we reduced the marriage penalty, he voted against
it.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: When we created a lower 10-percent tax rate for working
families, he voted against it.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: When we reduced the tax rate on dividends that many seniors
depend on, Senator Kerry voted against it.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: When we gave small businesses a tax incentive to expand
and to hire, he voted against it.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: We're beginning to see a pattern here. (Laughter.) Senator
Kerry is one of the main opponents of tax relief in the United States Congress.
However, when tax increases are proposed, it's a lot easier to get a "yes"
vote out of him. (Laughter.) Over the years, he's voted over 350 times
for higher taxes on the American people --

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: -- including the biggest tax increase in American history.
He also supported a $.50 gallon tax on gasoline.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: He wanted you to pay all that money at the pump and wouldn't
even throw in a free car wash. (Laughter.) Now, Senator Kerry is proposing
a lot of new federal spending in this campaign. He's going to have pay
for it somehow. There's a gap between Senator Kerry's spending promises
and Senator Kerry's promise of a lower deficit. It's what I call a tax
gap. Given Senator Kerry's record of supporting tax increases, it's pretty
clear how he's going to fill the tax gap. He's going to tax all of you.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: Fortunately, you're not going to give him that chance.
(Applause.)

Higher taxes right now would undermine growth and destroy jobs just
as our economy is getting stronger. It's bad policy. To help grow the American
economy and create more jobs for American workers, I have a better idea:
We should make all the tax cuts permanent. (Applause.)

We must do more to keep this economy growing to create jobs. We need
to maintain spending discipline in our Nation's Capital. I've a plan to
protect small business owners and employees from frivolous and junk lawsuits
and needless regulation. (Applause.) We have a plan to control the cost
of health care and give people better access through association health
care plans and health savings accounts. And in order to control health
care costs and to make sure docs are available, we need national medical
liability reform now. (Applause.)

We have a strategy to make sure Florida goods are sold in markets all
around the world. I proposed a great strategy to make sure our nation has
a sound energy plan -- a plan that encourages conservation, a plan that
modernizes the electricity system; a plan to make American less dependent
on foreign sources of energy. (Applause.)

They talk a lot about job creation. My opponent talks about it, but
he's against every one of these job-creating measures. Empty talk about
jobs and economic isolationism won't get anyone hired. The way to create
jobs is to reelect a pro-growth, pro-entrepreneur, small business President,
and that's George W. Bush. (Applause.)

Our future also depends on America's leadership in the world. The momentum
of freedom in our time is strong, but we still face serious dangers. Al
Qaeda is wounded, but not broken. Terrorists are testing our will in Afghanistan
and Iraq. Regimes in North Korea and Iran are challenging the peace. If
America shows weakness and uncertainty in this decade, the world will drift
toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch. (Applause.)

This nation is strong and confident in the cause of freedom. And today,
no friend or enemy doubts the word of the United States of America. (Applause.)
America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in Afghanistan.
The Taliban chose defiance and the Taliban no longer are in power. (Applause.)
America and our allies gave an ultimatum to the terror regime in Iraq.
The dictator chose defiance, and the dictator today sits in a prison cell.
(Applause.)

September the 11th, 2001 taught a lesson I will never forget: America
must confront threats before they fully materialize. In Iraq, my administration
looked at the intelligence and we saw a threat. Members of Congress looked
at the intelligence and they saw a threat. The United Nations Security
Council looked at the intelligence and it saw a threat. The previous administration
and Congress looked at the intelligence and made regime change in Iraq
the policy of our government.

In 2002, the United Nations Security Council yet again demanded a full
accounting of Saddam Hussein's weapons programs. And as he had for over
a decade, Saddam Hussein refused to comply. So we had a choice to make:
either take the word of a madman, or to take action to defend America.
Faced with that choice, I will defend America every time. (Applause.)

My opponent admits that Saddam Hussein was a threat. He just didn't
support my decision to remove Saddam from power. Maybe he was hoping Saddam
would lose the next Iraqi election. (Laughter.)

We showed the dictator and a waiting world that America means what it
says. (Applause.) Because our coalition acted, Saddam Hussein's torture
chambers are closed. (Applause.) Because we acted, Iraq's weapons programs
are ended forever. (Applause.) Because we acted, nations like Libya have
gotten the message and renounced their own weapons programs. (Applause.)
Because we acted, an example of democracy is rising at the very heart of
the Middle East. Because we acted, the world is more free and America is
more secure. (Applause.)

We still face thugs and terrorists in Iraq who would rather go on killing
the innocent than accept the advance of liberty. There's a reason. They
know that a free Iraq will be a major defeat for the cause of terror. This
collection of killers is trying to shake the will of the United States.
They don't understand us. America will never be intimidated by thugs and
assassins. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE PRESIDENT: We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq.
We're on the offensive. We will defeat them there so we do not have to
face them in our own cities. (Applause.)

Other nations are helping us to build a free society in Iraq, because
a free Iraq will make us all safer. We're standing with the Iraqi people
as they assume more of their own defense and move toward self-government.
These aren't easy tasks, but they're essential tasks. America will finish
what we have begun, and we will win this essential victory in the war on
terror. (Applause.)

On national security, Americans have the clearest possible choice. My
opponent says he approves of bold action in the world, but only if other
countries don't object.

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: I'm all for united action, and so are our 34 coalition
partners in Iraq right now. (Applause.) Yet America must never outsource
America's national security decisions to the leaders of other countries.
(Applause.)

Some are skeptical that the war on terror is really a war at all. Senator
Kerry said, and I quote, "The war on terror is far less of a military operation
and far more of an intelligence-gathering law enforcement operation."

AUDIENCE: Booo!

THE PRESIDENT: I disagree. I disagree. Our nation followed this approach
after the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993. The matter was handled
in the courts and thought by some to be settled. The terrorists were still
training in Afghanistan. They're still plotting in other nations. They're
still drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September
the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. (Applause.)
With those attacks, the terrorists and supporters declared war on the United
States of America -- and war is what they got. (Applause.)

Our men and women in the military are taking great risks and they're
doing great work. (Applause.) At bases across our country and the world,
I've had the privilege of meeting with those who defend our country and
sacrifice for our security. I've seen their great decency and unselfish
courage. And I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom
is in good hands. (Applause.)

This nation is prosperous and strong; yet we need to remember that our
greatest strength is in the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens. We're
strong because of the values we try to live: courage and compassion, reverence
and integrity. We are strong because of the institutions that help give
us direction and purpose: families and schools and religious congregations.
(Applause.) These values and institutions are fundamental to our lives,
and they deserve the respect of our government. (Applause.)

We stand for the fair treatment of faith-based groups so they can receive
federal support for their works of compassion and healing. We will not
stand for discrimination by the federal government against people of faith.
(Applause.) We stand for welfare reforms that require work and strengthen
marriage, which have helped millions of Americans find their independence
and dignity. (Applause.) We will not stand for any attempt to weaken those
reforms and send people back into lives of dependence. (Applause.) We stand
for a cultural life in which every person counts and every person matters.
(Applause.) We will not stand for the treatment of any life as a commodity
to be experimented upon or exploited or cloned. (Applause.)

We stand for the confirmation of judges who strictly and faithfully
interpret the law. (Applause.) We will not stand for judges who undermine
democracy by legislating from the bench -- (applause) -- or judges who
try to remake the values of America by court order. (Applause.)

We stand for a culture of responsibility in America. (Applause.) It's
the culture of a country that's changing from one that has said, if it
feels good, do it, and if you've got a problem, blame somebody else, to
a culture in which each of us understands we are responsible for the decisions
we make in life. (Applause.) If you are fortunate enough to be a mother
or a father, you're responsible for loving your child with all your heart.
(Applause.) If you're worried about the quality of the education in the
community in which you live, you're responsible for doing something about
it. (Applause.) If you're a CEO in corporate America, you're responsible
for telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees. (Applause.)
And in the responsibility society, each of us is responsible for loving
our neighbor, just like we'd like to be loved ourselves. (Applause.)

For all Americans, these years in our history will always stand apart.
There are quiet times in the life of a nation when little is expected of
the leaders. This is not one of those times. You and I are living in a
period when the stakes are high, challenges are difficult, a time when
resolve is needed.

None of us will ever forget that week when one era ended and another
began. On September the 14th, 2001, I stood in the ruins of the Twin Towers.
I'll never forget that day. One guy pointed at me and said, "Don't let
me down." Workers in hard hats were shouting, "Whatever it takes!" And
as we all did that day, these men and women searching through the rubble
took it personally. I took it personally. I have a responsibility that
goes on. I will never relent in bringing justice to our enemies. I will
defend the security of America, whatever it takes. (Applause.)

In these times, I've also been witness to the character of this nation.
Not so long ago, some had their doubts about the American character, our
capacity to meet serious challenges, or to serve a cause greater than self-interest.
But Americans have given their answer. I've seen the unselfish courage
of our troops. I've seen the heroism of Americans in the face of danger.
I've seen the spirit of sacrifice and compassion renewed in our country.
We've all seen our country unite in common purpose when it mattered most.

We'll need all these qualities for the work ahead. We have a war to
win. The world is counting on us to lead the cause of freedom and peace.
We have a duty to spread opportunity to every corner of America. With your
help, we're going to share our message of optimism and national strength
with every voter in the state of Florida. (Applause.)

I'm looking forward to this campaign ahead. I'm going to give it my
all. (Applause.) And I'm counting -- I'm counting on you all to do the
same. (Applause.) Talk to your friends; talk to your neighbors; get out
the word; ask people to join our cause to participate in democracy. With
you at my side, there is no doubt in my mind we're headed to a victory
on November the 2nd. (Applause.)